Som is a 58-year-old homemaker from Cambodia. She lives in Kampong Thom Province with her husband and her second child, who is a rice farmer. She has four married children who live nearby with their own families. She enjoys going to the pagoda and listening to monks pray in her free time. About two months ago, Som noticed a lump on the left side of her neck. Although it was not painful, it gradually became more noticeable and caused a feeling of fullness, especially when swallowing. Som visited our medical partner's care center, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), where she was diagnosed with a left cystic thyroid goiter. The lump causes discomfort and tightness in her neck when swallowing, making her anxious about her health and concerned that it may continue to grow. On July 15th, surgeons will remove the mass. Som's family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $244 more to fund her procedure and care. Som said, “I have been worried since I noticed the lump on my neck. I hope after the surgery, I will feel comfortable again and no longer be concerned every time I swallow.”

Phors is a 35-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. Phors is married and lives with her husband, who works in a factory, and their two children, one in Grade 6 and the other in kindergarten. She enjoys listening to music and spending time caring for her children. Three months ago, Phors had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Phors experiences pain, ringing in her right ear, reduced hearing, and ear discharge. An examination found a perforation in her right eardrum, and she was diagnosed with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). Her ear problems make it difficult for Phors to hear clearly and communicate comfortably with others. As a rice farmer and mother, she hopes to improve her hearing so she can manage her farming work and care for her children more comfortably. On October 27th, with the help of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), Phors will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. She can contribute $100, but needs help raising $263 more to fund her procedure and care. Phors said, “I hope the surgery will help me hear better and reduce the problems with my right ear. I want to communicate more easily with others and continue my farming work comfortably. I’m looking forward to feeling better and returning to my daily activities without so much worry about my ear.”

Rebira is a 14-year-old student who lives in Ethiopia with his parents and three siblings. His father works as a guard, and his mother stays home to care for the children. Before his recent health challenges, he enjoyed playing football with his friends. About two years ago, Rebira injured his left leg while playing football. Because his family could not afford medical care, the injury went untreated. Unfortunately, the leg did not heal properly, and Rebira continues to suffer from intermittent swelling, severe pain, and difficulty walking. The pain has become so debilitating that he struggles to make the walk to school. His parents fear that, if left untreated, he may be forced to abandon his education, trapping him in a cycle of poverty. Recently, Rebira and his family attended our medical partner’s care center, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. Following an investigation, doctors determined that he needs a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected dead bone or tissue. Without treatment, Rebira may suffer from recurrent infections, which can result in life-threatening complications. On August 24th, Rebira will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 to fund Rebira's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will alleviate his symptoms and prevent serious long-term complications. Rebira's parents shared, "We hope that our son will be able to easily walk to school and return to playing football with his friends again."